A reminder from the Berthoud Fire Protection District

Fire prevention education is formally celebrated each October throughout the U.S. This year “Fire Prevention Week” will be celebrated the week of Oct. 4 through Oct. 10. The Berthoud Fire Protection District celebrates the concept of “Fire Prevention Week” throughout the year, presenting to all ages, fire prevention education, bicycle and helmet safety, car seat installation and education, CPR, smoke detector and carbon monoxide education and many more educational programs.

The National Fire Protection Association provided the following fire statistics for 2008. There were 1,451,500 fires reported. There were 3,320 civilian fire deaths and 16,705 civilian fire related injuries. Every 158 minutes a civilian dies and every 31 minutes a civilian is injured as a result of fire and 83 percent of all fire deaths occur in the home with kitchen fires as the leading cause.

In the event of a fire in the home or to prepare in case of a fire, follow the top ten fire safety tips:

• Install Smoke Detectors on Every Level of Your Home and Check the Batteries
• Know TWO Ways Out
• Crawl Low in Smoke
• Make an Escape Plan
• Practice Your Escape Plan
• Don’t Go Back Inside; No Matter What the Reason May Be
• Choose a Family Meeting Place
• Test Every Door for Heat before Opening
• At Work or At Home, Plan Your Escape
• Dial 911 In The Event Of an Emergency

Keep yourself and your family safe by installing both carbon monoxide and smoke detectors, establishing an escape plan in the event of fire, and practice the plan!
 
Parents:

• Do not leave children alone around open flames, stoves, or candles.
• Keep matches, gasoline, lighters and other flammable materials out of children’s reach.
• Keep things that easily catch fire (such as papers) away from heat sources like stoves, heaters, and fireplaces.